A Balloch business owner has given the £30million Lomond Banks development his backing.
John Sweeney, of Sweeney’s Cruise Company in Balloch, said he believes in the plans, which would see family-friendly accommodation, an indoor water park and brewery on the land of Woodbank House and West Riverside.
The plans have attracted a number of criticisms from vocal campaigners claiming the development would ruin the natural environment.
However Mr Sweeney – who has run the Balloch-based cruise company for decades – says the plans have got his backing.
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He told the Lennox Herald: “It will lift the whole of Balloch. As villages go it has not got a lot going for it.
“The place struggles as it is and we are needing investment.
“Balloch is the gateway to the National Park and it deserves better. It is also a built-up area.
“The whole construction of Loch Lomond Shores was to regenerate Balloch and so far it’s not worked. That land has been sitting there for 15 years with Scottish Enterprise trying to sell it and no-one else has suggested anything. I’m sure there’s lots of local businesses who would agree it will be good for Balloch. It could have an economic impact.
“From what I have seen it’s a far more upmarket project than anything we have so far and very different to the theme park in Yorkshire.
“The public will still be allowed access to the site and quite frankly the place is a mess right now.
“When I speak with tourists, they are not going for walks around that area. It is not being used to it’s full potential.
“In the 1960s it was owned by British Rail and there were signs everywhere saying ‘private property’. Now that Scottish Enterprise own it they are within their rights to say what it can and can’t be used for.
“They also say they will make a nice riverside walkway, so dog walkers will have a far better sight when using the area.”
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Responding to the negative attention the development has been receiving he said: “I am entitled to my opinion and so are others. We live in a democracy and I respect that others disagree with me.”
Mr Sweeney said he doubts the development would make any difference to economic success of his own company but recognises the benefits it could bring for others.
He said: “Money isn’t really a consideration for me.
“We already have a five-star rating from VisitScotland and we don’t really need Flamingo Land to improve us economically.
“Someone who needs a job is probably going to benefit from it far more than me.”
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Sweeney’s cruises has been a part of the Balloch tourism scene since the 1880s. John’s three sons also work for the family-led business which is a well-recognised attraction .
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